WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5138, 11 September 1877, Page 3

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —Mr, Wilson desires a regular and authorised inspection for the public schools in New Zealand. Could he not give some effect to his desire as respects his own institution ? If instead of the very unsatisfactory examinations held yearly by active and retired Civil Service officials and other outsiders, he could give us the opinion of one or two professional teachers, selected say from the staffs of either the Canterbury or Otago Colleges, he would do more to remove existing prejudice, and enlighten the public mind as to the extent and quality of the work done in the College during the year, than the certificates which a few boys win at the Cambridge Local Examinations. Whatever may be ! the educational value of the New Zealand University Scholarship Examinations, it is quite plain that, save the natural scisnce subjects, Wellington College is nowhere as compared with other colonial competitors. I have a few opinions respecting the Wellington College, which are shared in by some in this city who wish well to the cause of ‘ higher education, and they are— First, that it cannot be an efficient grammar school and at.the same time do the work of an affiliated college. It is within -its reach however to become the former; or, with necessary changes and less expenditure, might be the latter ; but it js absurd to suppose that it can be both; and failure will follow any attempt to make it so, as experience elsewhere abundantly proves. Secondly, talcing it for what it is at present—a grammar school, with the large number of boys in attendance and the high fees, it should be self-sustaining, and not require Government subsidies to make both ends meet. If other grammar schools in this city are a financial success, why not the College ? Thirdly, that as a grammar school a less generous remuneration than £7OO a year, in addition to the profits from boarders,: should be amply sufficient for its Principal—an income considerably beyond what any member of the professorial staffs of either the Canterbury or ■ Otago Colleges receive, and quite equal if not more than the salary of a Professor of the Melbourne University. Lastly, that a change in respect to some of the present College staff would be a great gain in educational results in the-judgment of some parents.—l am, &c,, Olericus.